Television effects camera adapter



Oct. 29, 1957 F. POLLICK 2,811,076

TELEVISION EFFECTS CAMERA ADAPTER Filed March 1, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. FRANK POLLICK Oct. 29, 1957 F. POLLICK TELEVISION EFFECTS CAMERA ADAPTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1, 1954 y; JJ, 4

77 INVENTOR. FRANK POLLICK C mg ,MM

FIG. 3.

Oct. 29, 1957 F. poLLlcK 2,811,076

TELEVISION EFFECTS CAMERA ADAPTER Filed March 1, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR. FRANK POLLICK FIG. 7. BY

United States Patent Office 35 39,

on the view line 2-2 in Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the adapter taken 2811076 on the view line 3--3 in Figure 1 looking in the direction TELEVISION EFFECTS CAMERA ADAPTER 5 of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a front plate that may Fnmk f Yonkers g" g i 2, Columbla be employed with the adapter illustrated in Figure l;

gggg g gf z fig cw i a Mime Figure 5 is an exploded view in perspective illustrating a typical effects attachment that may be employed with Application March 1, 1954, N0. 413,152 the adapter illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a perspective view partially broken away 9 (188-46) and illustrating, in addition to the apparatus shown in Figure 5, a television camera in assembled relation with the adapter; and This invention relates to an adapter facilitating the posi- Figure 7 i a elevation view f a tele i i camera tioning of various television effects attachments in the and a further effects attachment mounted on an adapter view field of a television camera. constructed in accordance with the invention.

The rapid growth of television pragramming has great- Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 which illustrates in ly increased the demand for special effects provided by detail a typical embodiment of the invention, a mounting devices adjacent the camera lens, such effects ranging base 10 cast from aluminum, for example, is formed with from the televising of titles and synthetic rainstorms to a generally rectangular configuration in the horizontal the necessity for mounting heavy lens assemblies in front plane and adapted to be received by and fastened to a of the camera. Other effects attachments include anconventional friction head 11, shown in dotted outline gularly positioned mirrors mounted in front of the camera in Figure 2. In order to insure the proper alignment of to effectively displace the camera lens with respect to the the mounting base 10 on the friction head 11, a guide subject being televised. strip 12 is preferably affixed by bolts 13 to the lower face The mounting of the above-mentioned television effects of the base 10. Also formed on the lower face and subattachments has been complicated by the wide use of stantially in the center of the mounting base 10 is a tapped several types of television cameras as well as the great hole 14 extending into a boss 16 on the upper side of the variety of such attachments. Thus, a device for mountbase 10. Protruding from the friction head 11 is a rotating the attachments in the view field of one television able screw 15 cooperating with the threaded hole 14 for camera could not be employed with another camera. securing the base 10 to the head 11. Also provided on the Further, the mounting devices used in the past did not base 10 are stiffening ridges 17 and 18 extending upwardly permit the rapid interchange of effects attachments in the from each end thereof.

camera view field, a deficiency that limited the number of Integral upwardly extending arcuate sections 19, 20 attachments usable with aparticular camera in aspecified and 21, 22, respectively, are formed to extend longiprograrnming period. tudinally on both sides of the base 10. The arcuate sec- Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to tions 19 to 22, inclusive, are constructed to provide a provide a television effects camera adapter which may pair of substantially cylindrical passages 23 and 24 open be disposed between a television camera and supporting at their upper ends to form a pair of slots 25 and 26, platform to mount any desired effects attachment in the respectively. Tapped openings 27, 28 and 29, 30 (Figcamera view field. ure 7) extend from the lower face of the base 10 to the It is another object of the invention to provide an passages 23 and 24, respectively, and receive knurled adapter as specified above which permits the camera and headed set screws 31, 32 and 33, 34, respectively. effects attachments to move with respect to the support- Slidably mounted in the passages 23 and 24 are a pair ing platform for balancing the assembly thereon. of substantially cylindrical supporting rods 35 'and 36 These and further objects of the invention are accom- Preferably having flattened Portions 37, 38 and 39, 40 OH plished by providing a mounting base adapted to be their upper and lower surfaces, respectively. It is evident fastened to a conventional television supporting platform. that the flattened portions 38 and 40 will cooperate with Slidably supported by the mounting base is a camera the set screws 31 to 34, inclusive, to lock the rods 35 and mount constructed with a mounting head thereon similar 36 in any predetermined position with respect to the to the friction head found on the camera supporting platbase 10. form. Positioned in front of the camera mount and Fastened to the flattened portions 37 and 39 on the movable therewith is a supporting member adapted to upper surfaces of the rods 35 and 36 by a plurality of receive and support the effects attachments in the view screws 41 and respectively, is a camera mount field of a camera on the camera moun. Each of the The screws 41 and 42 are inserted through openings effects attachments may have secured thereto a front formed in downwardly extending shoulders 44 and 45 plate formed to be removably clamped to the supporting formed on either side of the camera mount 43 and fitting member. freely into the slots 25 and 26, the screws 41 and 42 By providing for movement between the camera mount being received by corresponding tapped holes in the rods and the mounting base, the entire camera and adapter 35 and 36. As is evident from Figure 1, the camera assembly together with the effects attachment may be mount 43 is constructed with a generally rectangular consuitably balanced on the supporting platform to facilitate figuration when viewed in plan and is positioned a short he v e t th f, distance from the back ends of the supports 35 and 36 Further objects and advantages of the invention will A Preferably metallic mounting head integral Wm be more readily understood when the following descripand running longitudinally along the center of the cam tion is read in connection with the accompanying draw- -Ya mount 43, comprises a raised platform similar to th ings in which: conventional friction mounting heads normally employe Figure l is a plan view of a television effects camera t pport vis n Cameras.

adapter constructed in accordance with the invention; In order to secure a television camera. to the moun Figure 2 is a transverse section of the adapter taken ing head 46, a mounting screw 47, integral with a vert cal shaft 48 journaled in a bearing 49, is rotatable in an 93 and 94 are formed with slots 95 and 96, respectively, opening 48a substantially in the center of the mounton their front faces, and project vertically from the front ing head 46. A rectangular support 50 and a tube 51 plate 87.

extend fromthe lower face of the mounting head 46 to As partially shown in dotted outline in Figure 3, the the rear and in front of the shaft 4 respectively, the 5 openings 90 and 91 receive the studs 72 and 73 while the head 46 the hole 92 receives the stud 76. After positioning the and the tube 51 being secured thereto by a screw 5.1a. A studs 72, 73 and 76 in their respective openings, the J- plate 52 holding the bearing 49 is s pported at its ends shaped members 80 of the locks 77 and 78 are placed by the support 50 and the tube 51, ed to the shaft adjacent to the slots 95 and 96 and the levers 79 ac 48 between the bearing 49 and the mounting head 46 is ated to securely clamp the front plate 87 to'the support a beveled gear 53 cooperating with a beveled gear 54 flg l m 6 on a shaft 55 extending through e support '50 and a 11 order to permit the front plate 87 to be fastened Vertical flange 56 formed on the back e d of the amer to and support various television effects attachments in mount 43, a similar flange 58 being constructed o the the view field of a particular type of television camera front end thereof. A knurled knob 57 is mounted on a number of suitably positioned holes (not shown) are the end of the shaft 55, and it is evident that the mountpr vi therein It is preferable to pp y a pl 87 ing screw 47 may be rotated in either direction by suitfor each of the effects attachments to be employed.

ably turning the knob 57. Heavy lens assemblies, such as shown in Figures 5 Asupporting member 60 of generally rectangular shape n fi eXtenSiVe use in telficastih In these l' l i Ctfid With a pair of cylindrical openings 61 and ureS, the adapter is mounted on conventional supporting 2 at either side thereof, a pair of bosses 63 and 64 exapparatus Permitting rotation of the fric'lioh head 11 upper inner face of the member so. Ribbing 67 and 68 varion about n s defined y a h ft 102 x n ing ber 60 and extend betw e th ti 63, 64 and friction head 11, the elements 103 and 104 being posi- A rearwardly extending flange 69 may l b tioned on opposite sides of a mounting housing 105 in vided on the lower inner portion of the member 60, the tegral with the Plate 101 The Shaft 192 y be threaded ribs 67 and 63 a d th flange 69 dd t h and to receive a knurled knob 102a for locking the head 11 rigidity to the member 60. n a desired position pair of k i bl k 70 and 71 are f t d by A conventional television camera 106, fitted with a c n e i l means to h upper outer corners on the normal lens 107, is provided with a conventional base inner face of the e be 60, h of h bl k 70 and plate 108 affixed to the bottom thereof. The camera 106 being provided with a upwardly extending tapered is placed upon the adapter with the base 108 resting on Stud 72 and 73 n ally disposed thereon. A keying the mounting head 46, a tapped hole being provided in l t 74 i Secured b Screws 75 to h fla g 9 at the the base 138 to receive the mounting screw '47 as the center of the member 60. A tapered stud 76, similar to knob-57 is rotated- Also found on the flange 69 are a pair of locks 77 and lens 1 a lens bracket 110, formed bYTWO P p 8 whi h t k h form, f example f conventional lar slides 111 and 112 with a strengthening element 113 i d type l k provided with handles 7 and therebetween, is provided to fasten the lens assembly 109 shaped l i members 30 fu ti i as will be to the front plate 87. The lens assembly 109 is directly l in d i d il b l mounted on the horizontal supporting side 112 in any As clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3, the openin s 61 convenient manner such as by suitable bolts (not shown). and 62 and their associated bosses 63 and 64 receive the The Side 111 has a plurality of elongated p g 114 od 35 d 3 hi may be secured Therein by, for formedtherein cooperating with tapped holes ll5rin the example, set screws 81. Also extending between the suppomng member Screws 116 are inserted'to mounting lat 43 d th Supporting member 60 is a tach the lens bracket 110 to the plate 87, the elongated haft 82 th d d at b h ends and recaived by a tapped shape of the holes 114 permitting adjustment of the brackin the boss 65 Nuts 83 and 84 lock the shaft 82 in po lhce the lens assembly 109 is heavy, the Set sition and if desired a cover 85 may be provided thereon screws 31 inclusive, are loosened to ermlt the 1s construction provides for strong and rigid assemcamera the camera mount the rods 35 and 36 bly of the mounting plate 43 and the supporting member and h supporting member to he moved rearwardl 0 for balancing them with respect to the pedestal 100. With the t l i i adapter constructed as described This balanced condition greatly facilitates the movement it is apparent that after the mounting base 10 is posiof the camera 106 by means of the handle Since ti d on h fri ti h 1 the rods 35 and 36 the lens assembly 109 is one of the heaviest of the attachgeth r with th camera mount 43 and the Supporting 60 ments for the television effects camera adapter, the membe 60 may b piaced in any deshed position with camera mount 43 is rearwardly displaced as far as posrespect to the mounting base 10 and friction head 11. Slble in Figures 5 and the adapter having been designed n order to prevent h comphete Withdrawal of the s to be balanced in such a position with this attachment. 35 and 36 mm th passages 23 and 2 a stop 86 (Fl-g n Referring next to Figure .7, another television effects are 3) is preferably inserted on the end of the rod 35 httachment is Shown in Position Oh'the supporting emote f 1; e member 9 r er 60 in front of the camera 106 A'bracket 125 is eferrm next t Figures 3 and 4 a typical embodlment fixed to the front plate 8 by means of screws 126 The i a rent plate 87 adapted 0 cooperate h the su bracket 125 is attached at its other end to a crawl attachorting member 60 is shown. Preferably, the pl t 37 ment127 comprising a roll 128 and an electric motor 129 as approximately the same overall dimensions as the mouhtedl'n a housing fhem0t0r129 driving through iember 60 and is provided with lugs 88 and 89 extend- 3 drive Chain 131 the T011 All elongated strip 132 1g laterally at both ends from the upper edge thereof, is wound on the roll 128 and extends to another roll )emngs and 91 being formed in the lugs 88 and behind the motor 129, the strip 132 having disposed respectively. A centrally located hole 92 is also thereon titles or other material to be telecast. If desired, und inythe lower edge of the plate 87. Vertical tabs 75 a light may also be supported by the bracket to illuminate the strip 132. In a typical example, it may be desirable to employ a smoothly faced cloth tape having a black background with white lettering spelling out, for example, the performers names.

It will be noted that in Figure 7, the camera 106 is balanced on the pedestal 100 with the camera mount 43 and the rods 35 and 36 somewhat forward of the position shown in Figures and 6, this being due to the lighter weight of the roll attachment 127 as compared with the lens assembly 109. Although little movement of the camera 106 is necessary when the crawl 127 is employed, if effects attachments such as mirrors are positioned on the supporting member 60, it is desirable to have the camera 106 in balance to facilitate the movement thereof.

It will be understood that other effects attachments may be aflixed to the plate 87 including various mirrors. as specified above, for changing the effective position of the lens 107, rotating cylinders having sandpaper thereon to imitate rain, and various other devices well known in the television art.

Accordingly, it can be seen that a television effects adapter has been provided that is easily positioned between the television camera supporting platform and the camera to permit a variety of effects attachments to be utilized therewith. Of course, it will be understood that the above-described embodiments of the invention are illustrative only and modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the supporting member 60 may be provided with any desired keying and clamping elements for receiving the front plates secured to the effects attachments. Further, the front plate 87 may take various other forms suitable to the effects attachment mounted thereon to position it in the camera view field. Alternatively, the front plate may be formed as an element of the effects attachment designed to be shifted thereon to position the attachment in the view field of any of the several television cameras. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the specific apparatus disclosed herein but is to be defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A television effects camera adapter comprising a mounting base adapted to be fastened to a television camera supporting platform, means forming a pair of passages in the base extending longitudinally thereof, a rod slidably disposed in each of said passages, a camera mount supported by said rods and adapted to receive a television camera thereon, and a supporting member carried by said rods in front of said camera mount, said member being adapted to receive and support television effects attachments in the view field of the television camera. 353% 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein means are provided for locking said mounting base and said rods.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a threaded shaft adapted to enter and engage a threaded opening in the television camera extending upwardly from said camera mount, and means for rotating said threaded shaft from a remote position for securing the television camera to the camera mount.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein a front plate is removably carried by said supporting member, said front plate being adapted to be secured to the television effects attachments.

5. A television effects camera adapter comprising a mounting base adapted to be fastened to a television camera supporting platform, means forming a pair of passages on both sides of said base extending longitudinally thereof, each of said passages being formed with a slot along their upper portions, a rod slidably disposed in each of said passages, a camera mount carried by said rods, portions of said camera mount extending through said slots to permit relative movement between said mounting base and said camera mount, said camera mount including a mounting head adapted to receive a television camera thereon, and a supporting member carried by said rods in front of said camera mount, said member being adapted to receive and support television effects attachments in the view field of the television camera.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein means are provided for locking said mounting base and said rods.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 including a threaded shaft adapted to enter and engage a threaded opening in the television camera extending upwardly from said mounting head, and means for rotating said threaded shaft from a remote position for securing the television camera to the camera mount.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein a front plate is removably carried by said supporting member, said front plate being adapted to be secured to the television effects attachments.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein means are provided to clamp said front plate to said supporting member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,292,149 Teague June 21, 1919 1,892,846 Mueller Jan. 3, 1933 1,971,486 Jennings et al Aug. 28, 1934 2,578,420 Goodale et al. Dec. 11, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 521,150 Great Britain May 14, 1940 918,794 France Nov. 4, 1946 

